With The Famous

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 153, 25 March 1938, Page 16

With The Famous

Young New Zealander’s Work In Hollywood Ay> 1 experience that must be tbe envy of every New Zealand film fan has been the lucky fortune of a young New Zealander, Mr. D. Snelling, of Wanganui. Mr. Snelling has returned after six months in California; during which he had a job that took him iuto the great moving-picture studios aud brought him into intimate association with many of the leading figures of the industry, particularly the stars. Still but 21, last year he was a commercial artist in business in Wanganui who made a practice of drawing film stars from photographs. They were drawings with a distinctive style, and when it was Suggested that Mr. Snelling should test the prospects .in Hollywood he yielded. Last September be went to Hollywood, and, with the assistance of some valuable introductions, set to work sketching stars from life. A special permit from the Hays Office,-the organisation that polices the film-producing industry in America, be obtained to show that he was not one of the numerous people who try to get into the studios for ulterior motives, and it admitted him behind tlie high walls and big gates that surround tlie cinema citadels. It gave certain rights of admission to previews, and to obtaining interviews also. Mr. Snelling found it not the place of glamour that some believe it to be, but ruled by strictly business motives,- with thousands of people outside the industry clamouring tb get into it, about ten thousand for every job. They are so many that it was particularly difficult to get a pass such as be got. Night life there is, but the famous are not often seen in the gay resorts, Mr. Snelling states. It is kept up by people outside the industry, or in minor positions in it, who Haye nothing to lose and. much to gain from notoriety. The stars are very much like other people .—dine at home and appear little' in, public but occupy their time with some sport or hobby. They have some gift or a side to their personality that the screen emphasises and makes them of value to film producers. Among the many Mr. Snelling met in Hollywood he is able to claim Stan Laurel, of Laurel and Hardy, as a particular friend. Laurel, he says, is the leader of the two famous comedians, and it is he who does their business and chinks up their gags. “It is most interesting to see them making a picture, - ’ he said to “The Dominion.” “They enjoy it so much that they burst out laughing during the scenes. The extras and men behind the cameras have to hold their mouths so as not to spoil a shot.” No rehearsing is done except with the canieras working because he shots are so short that the actors can remember their lines easily and they may say them perfectly the first time. Particularly in the case of Laurel and Hardy “gag men” sit behind the cameras- continuously endeavouring to think- of .new- “gags.” . j Mr. Snelling has numerous photographs of himself snapped on sets or in the homes of famous people,.such as Jack Oakie. Deanna Durbin. George Brent, Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert. These and many others he has sketched with, the object of the drawings being published in magazines. The reason for his return is that he entered tlie United States as a student, which did not allow him to stay an unlimited time. After broadcasting in New Zealand about bis experiences ' e will return to Los Angeles to take up work there permanently.

TTOLLYWOOD stars offer many reasons for appearing on Broadway ■—“direct communion with my public” is a favourite line. But none have been so frank as Michael Bartlett, now playing in New York in “Three Waltzes.” Bartlert explains that his face is satisfactory from one side only. The defects of the wrong profile are revealed by the searching camera—hidden by the footlights. So he is saying goodbye to the screen.